03 AUGUST 2015

Manfredo Predicts Ward-Gatti-Like War

By Peter Lim: Given their respective aggressive modes of combat, Peter Manfredo, Jr., 37-6 (20 KOs), anticipates a grueling, action-packed battle when he squares off against Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., 43-0-1 (30 KOs), for Chavez’ WBC middleweight title at the Reliant Arena in Houston, TX, this Saturday.

"If you look at my nose and my face, you’ll know that I don’t miss that many shots," Manfredo said, drawing a collective guffaw from the press corp at the final press conference.

"Hopefully we’ll get Fight of the Year," Manfredo added. "Hopefully it’ll be something like Ward-Gatti and we can make millions of dollars doing a trilogy.

"It will be Chavez’ first defense of the belt he wrested from Sebastian Zbik via majority decision in June. Like his legendary father, Chavez, 25, has gained a reputation as devastating left hooker but has yet to score a knockout since bulking up to the middleweight division four fights ago.

"I expect a very tough fight," Chavez said through Top Rank translator Ricardo Jimenez. "Manfredo has a lot of experience. He’s a real tough guy. I’m taking this fight very seriously. I’m bringing everything I have into the ring and giving it my all. I want to show everyone what I’m capable of."

Manfredo, 30, previously fought for a world title as a super middleweight, losing a third-round TKO to Joe Calzaghe in Wales in 2007. Admittedly a huge fan of Chavez, Sr. while growing up, Manfredo said he is humbled at the opportunity to face the son of his idol for his second shot at a world title.

"The son is great fighter too," Manfredo said. "A lot of people don’t give him enough credit because of his dad. But he’s 43-0, undefeated, he doesn’t know how to lose, he’s a world champion and he wears his heart on his sleeve.

"I respect him a lot but I have to fight him and I’m here to win that belt and take it to Providence in New England," Manfredo added. "Securing this victory would set my family up for life and that’s what I’m hoping to do